7 Must-Visit Vineyards in Shenandoah Valley

Everyone knows about California’s wine, but have you heard of Virginia’s? The Shenandoah Valley is ripe—pun intended—with incredible wine, thanks to hilly fields in the Blue Ridge Mountains ideal for growing a wide variety of grapes.

By: Kassondra Cloos

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Photo By: Courtesy of White Oak Lavender Farm and Purple WOLF Vineyard

Photo By: Courtesy of Shenandoah County Tourism

Photo By: Courtesy of CrossKeys Vineyards

Photo By: Courtesy of Shenandoah County Tourism

Purple WOLF Vineyard

White Oak Lavender Farm in Harrisonburg is already one of the most picturesque places to visit in the Shenandoah Valley, and now it’s even sweeter: they’ve started growing their own grapes and making lavender-infused wine under the name of Purple WOLF Vineyard (get it?). When the fields are blooming, the smell of lavender instantly puts you at ease. The farm offers craft lessons for all ages throughout the year, a petting zoo the kids will love and daily wine tastings. Be sure to try some of their lavender-infused ice cream, too, and take home some buds to add to your own cooking.

Bluestone Vineyard

Enjoy a glass of Bluestone Vineyard’s award-winning wine during free weekly concerts on Fridays in March, or just visit to roam the beautiful grounds. Last year, the 10-year-old vineyard took home a gold award for its 2014 Blue Ice and a double gold award for its 2016 Vidal Blanc, both from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Bluestone has also started offering "Wine and Watercolor" classes.

The Winery at Kindred Pointe

To get to the Winery at Kindred Pointe, outside Mount Jackson, you have to drive some of the area’s most scenic backroads. The winery opened in 2013 after its owners realized wine might be a better sell than boarding horses, which they’d previously done with their property. Now, they brew cider, too, and offer tastings in the cozy and chic converted barn.

Shenandoah Vineyards

Shenandoah Vineyards, Virginia’s second-oldest, has won awards left and right throughout its history. Its founders have been credited with starting the wine revolution in Virginia, which has added hundreds of wineries and vineyards since Shenandoah opened in the '70s. The vineyard is nestled in the foothills of Edinburg, and it’s within easy biking distance of Cave Ridge Vineyard, the Winery at Kindred Pointe and Wolf Gap Vineyard and Winery. Check out the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail for a list of two dozen wineries to choose from on your visit.

Cross Key Vineyards

Do not skip brunch at the CrossKeys Vineyards bistro, in Mt. Crawford, where you’ll find DC-quality dining with a much better view (and much better prices). This winery is one of the more elegant spots you’ll find in the region, and you won’t get sick of the view. You might want to plan to stay for brunch and dinner.

Cave Ridge Vineyards

Cave Ridge Vineyard, outside Mount Jackson, is the kind of place where you arrive and immediately relax. The building housing the tasting room is surrounded by trees and a generous patio is perfect for soaking in the view. Take your time driving the backroads around here, and all the other vineyards in the Valley—VA-42 is a much better ride than the Interstate. More than some others, Cave Ridge feels secluded because it’s pushed right up into the mountains.

Muse Vineyards

Muse Vineyards in Woodstock is one of the state’s youngest wineries. Its tasting room opened in 2016, though it won the Governor’s Cup in 2015 for its 2009 Clio before it even opened its doors. Right on the banks of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, on land that’s been farmed longer than the United States has been a country, it couldn’t be in a more idyllic spot.

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Virginia

7 Must-Visit Vineyards in Shenandoah Valley

Related To:

Shop This Look

Purple WOLF Vineyard

Bluestone Vineyard

The Winery at Kindred Pointe

Shenandoah Vineyards

Cross Key Vineyards

Cave Ridge Vineyards

Muse Vineyards

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